Politics in Kittiwake had always been a more informal affair then in many other nations. In place of the vast conference tables and office like interiors that dominated modern government buildings, all key decisions in Kittiwake took place in a room which more resembled an old fashioned gentleman’s club. The walls were lined with solid oak paneling, housing portraits of former leaders mixed with hunting scenes. Leather bound books lined the rarely used library shelves. The room was dominated by an oversized traditional fireplace around which was scattered several leather chairs and tables. The air was musty, not foul but it smelled of an older life, of times past. Despite the late hour and topic at hand there was a general feeling of relaxation. The desks were littered with empty glasses of whiskey and mugs of coffee, consumed by the men there present.
"My Lord", came a somewhat quiet voice. Those who heard it knew to fear it, for it belonged to a man who had manipulated his circumstances and those around him to become perhaps the second most powerful man in the nation. Gatsby came from the north, from a small agricultural town, which had been long forgotten by most. A regional visit had allowed the Lord Protector to make his acquaintance and more importantly his sister, a breathtaking beauty. The Lord Protector had fallen for her charms and began courting. Their affair quickly became a subject of much discussion among the whispering classes. Gatsby was quick to exploit the situation. His family moved to Powerscourt and he accepted a position as a senior advisor in the Lord Protectors cabinet. In this role he became feared by many for his ability to direct the actions of the government and influence over the Lord Protector. To many he was an unwelcome addition to the politics of Kittiwake, although few would say that to his face. “There is one other topic which we must discuss. The World Assembly legislation on biological weapons poses a dilemma. Despite our nations long aversion to the military, or perhaps because of it, you took the brave decision when you were elected to focus on enhancing our biological deterrent, to protect and save the lives of many Kittiwakese in the event of warfare. We both know it has become a key part of our national defensive strategy, even if its existence has been kept secret. Leaving aside the vast sums of money invested in this program, if our program becomes public knowledge it would destroy your reputation and undo much of the good you have achieved as our Lord Protector”
Stuart Menzies was a troubled man. He stood up and began pacing forward and back, the wooden floors creaking under each step. Finally he stopped and reached for another mug of coffee, then thought better and poured himself a generous dose of whiskey. The existence of this program had long been hidden, despite the regional communities strong belief. With the Assembly legislation passed it would only be a matter of time before Kittiwakes neighbors began demanding inspections. And what then, this program was only the tip of an iceberg. Kittiwake may be a liberal democracy but his three terms as Lord Proctor had been assured through vote rigging, intimidation and the imprisonment of large numbers of his opponents. All this was done while still showing a face of democracy. The truth would destroy him but abandoning the biological program would mean far more then a loss of defensive deterrents. “What would be your consul my friend", his voice was searching, pleading for an answer.
“There is an option, however it will require political strength and determination. A grandstand speech, railing against WA interference in our nation may appeal to the masses who have long grown tired of its interference. This is an opportunity to set the tone, refuse to allow inspectors to defile our nation. If we play this correctly then we can turn the public against the WA entirely. We must see this as a change for a new chapter in our nations history. We need strong leadership, which is what you will offer. Of course this fails to address disposal of the weapons however I have a plan for that as well."
